HOUSING & SAFETY
Need Somewhere Safe to Stay?
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and cannot safely stay in your home, you may be able to get help with emergency or temporary accommodation.
This page explains where you can ask for help, what your local council may be able to do, and what options may be available if you need to leave.
EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION
Can You Get Emergency Housing Because of Domestic Abuse?
If you are homeless because of domestic abuse, or it is not safe for you to continue living in your home, you can ask your local council for homelessness help.
In England, a person who is homeless as a result of domestic abuse has priority need for homelessness assistance.
You do not have to be sleeping on the streets to be considered homeless. If it is not reasonable for you to continue living in your home because of domestic abuse, you may still be legally homeless.
You can ask your council for help even if you haven't left your home yet.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
What Happens When You Ask the Council for Help?
When you contact your local council for homelessness help, they should look at your circumstances and assess what housing support you may be entitled to.
Explain What Is Happening
Tell the housing officer that you are experiencing domestic abuse and explain why you do not feel safe remaining in your home.
Immediate Accommodation
If the council has reason to believe that you may be homeless, eligible for assistance and in priority need, it may have a duty to provide interim accommodation while it makes further enquiries.
Housing Assessment
The council will ask you questions about your housing situation, household and circumstances so they can assess what help you may be entitled to.
Longer-Term Help
The council will consider what further housing duties it owes you and discuss the longer-term housing options that may be available.
ASKING FOR HELP
You Do Not Have to Wait Until You Have Left
If you are at risk of losing your home or cannot safely remain there because of domestic abuse, you can contact your local council's Housing Options or Homelessness Team and explain your situation.
Tell them clearly that you are experiencing domestic abuse and that you do not feel safe remaining at your current address.
You can ask the council to take a homelessness application.
You should not have to put yourself in danger before asking for housing help.
HOUSING WITH CHILDREN
What If You Have Children?
If your children normally live with you, or could reasonably be expected to live with you, tell the council when you ask for homelessness help.
The council should consider the needs of your household when deciding what accommodation is suitable. This can include things such as safety, location and the needs of your children.
Don't delay asking for help because you don't have every document with you.
If you have identification or information relating to your children available, it may be useful to have it with you, but your immediate safety is more important.
YOUR HOUSING OPTIONS
Where Could You Stay?
The type of accommodation available will depend on your circumstances, your needs and what is available locally. There are several types of accommodation you may hear about when asking for housing help.
🏠 Emergency Accommodation
Short-term accommodation that may be provided while the council considers your homelessness situation and what help it has a duty to provide.
🛡️ Refuge Accommodation
Safe, confidential accommodation specifically for people escaping domestic abuse. Refuges can also provide specialist support during your stay.
🔑 Temporary Accommodation
Accommodation that may be provided while the council works with you and considers what longer-term housing duties or options apply.
💜 Supported Accommodation
Accommodation where you can receive additional practical or specialist support alongside having somewhere to stay.
YOUR HOUSING RIGHTS
What If the Home Is in Your Name?
You can still ask for housing help if you own your home, are named on the tenancy, or have a joint tenancy with the person who is abusing you.
Your housing rights will depend on your individual circumstances. Leaving your home because of domestic abuse does not necessarily mean that you have automatically given up your rights to the property.
If it is safe to do so, consider getting specialist housing or legal advice before making permanent changes to a tenancy or ownership.
Important
Your safety comes first. If you need to leave immediately because you are in danger, don't delay leaving just because you haven't been able to get housing or legal advice.
LEAVING SAFELY
“If Safe, Take…”
If You Need to Leave Quickly
If you need to leave because you don't feel safe, your immediate safety comes first.
If you have time and it is safe to prepare, consider taking essential items that may be difficult to replace.
IDENTIFICATION & DOCUMENTS
Identification
Birth certificates
Important court or legal documents
Relevant housing documents
Copies of important evidence, if safe
EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS
Phone and charger
Bank cards or money
Keys
Essential medication
Children's essential items
Necessary clothing
Your safety is more important than belongings.
Do not delay leaving an unsafe situation because you cannot collect documents or possessions. Only take items if it is safe for you to do so.
URGENT HOUSING HELP
What If You Have Nowhere Safe to Go Tonight?
If you cannot safely stay in your home because of domestic abuse, contact your local council's homelessness service and explain that you need urgent housing help.
Tell them clearly that you are experiencing domestic abuse and do not feel safe returning home.
If the council offices are closed, check whether your council has an out-of-hours emergency homelessness service.
You can also contact a specialist domestic abuse service for help exploring refuge accommodation and other safe housing options.
Are you in immediate danger?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.
REFUGE ACCOMMODATION
What Is a Refuge?
A refuge is safe accommodation for people escaping domestic abuse.
Refuges provide somewhere safe to stay alongside specialist domestic abuse support. Many refuges can also accommodate children with their parent or carer.
Refuge locations are generally kept confidential to help protect the people staying there.
You don't need to find a refuge by yourself.
A domestic abuse service can help you look at suitable refuge options and other safe accommodation, depending on your circumstances and availability.
What support can a refuge provide?
Safe accommodation
Specialist domestic abuse support
Help with housing options
Practical and emotional support
Support around benefits and finances
Help accessing other services
Support for children where available
FIND SUPPORT
You Don't Have to Work Everything Out Before Asking for Help
You do not need to have your whole housing situation planned before contacting your council or a specialist domestic abuse service.
Explain what is happening, tell them if you are afraid to return home, and ask what emergency housing and support options may be available to you.
There are services that can help you understand your options and decide what to do next.
Important Information
The Safebox Project provides general information and signposting and does not provide legal or housing advice. Housing rights and the help available will depend on individual circumstances and eligibility. Always check current official guidance or speak to a qualified housing or legal adviser where appropriate.